General & Preventive Dentistry

Keeping Mt. Carmel’s Smiles Healthy

Our general dentistry takes a proactive approach to oral health. By focusing on preventive care, we stop little issues from developing into larger, more complicated problems. In many cases, when discovered early, treatment for dental concerns is simpler and quicker. And with preventive services like regular cleanings and fluoride treatments, our general dentistry improves the overall health of your mouth and increases your confidence in your smile.

Comprehensive Dental Care of Mt. Carmel provides each patient with a variety of dental services to meet every individual need. Your smile is all your own, and that’s why we start with a comprehensive exam, where we’ll determine your goals and formulate a plan to achieve them. Every patient we meet is unique, and we’re happy to take the time to develop a lasting relationship. With excellent dental care mixed with personality and professionalism, you’ll love what we can do for your smile.

We’ll monitor your oral health, which means we can quickly detect any changes. We also mix technology with our experience and skills to provide the highest standard of dental care. By using diagnostic technology to support our general dentistry, we’re keeping your total oral health at the forefront. Visit us today and discover how you can have one of the best smiles in Mt. Carmel.

Comprehensive Exams

Comprehensive exams are the first step to uncovering the full potential of your smile. Whether it’s your first exam or a routine check-up, we’ll take our time and discuss everything we find. We believe in communication, which is why we use our comprehensive exams to determine your goals and create a treatment plan that suits your needs. During these exams, we’ll check your teeth, gums, airway, and jaw, as well as perform oral cancer screenings and caries detection. We’ll review your x-rays with you, and help you make an educated decision about your oral care. Together, we’ll get the smile you deserve and make it shine.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer is very serious, and early detection can be lifesaving. Lifestyle factors, such as alcohol and tobacco use, can increase your risk of developing oral cancer, however, it can affect anyone. Those over 40 years old especially need to be screened, but we’ll perform oral cancer screenings on every patient who receives a comprehensive exam. We use visual and manual methods to check your gums, tongue, cheeks, and other soft tissue for abnormalities. We’re equipped with VELscope Oral Assessment System, which uses natural tissue fluorescence to show mucosal abnormalities that aren’t necessarily visible to the naked eye. Get screened today- it may save your life.

X-rays

X-rays are one of our most valuable diagnostic tools, as they allow us to see what’s going on below the surface. We use panoramic x-rays which give us a complete view of your entire mouth. Our digital x-rays make sharing them simple, and we can enhance, zoom, and highlight areas of concern to discuss your diagnosis easier. We also employ Diagnodent caries detection technology, which uses a fluorescent laser to identify possible caries before they become apparent on a standard x-ray or to the eye. Our x-rays are an important part of our preventative care, helping you to keep your smile looking and feeling great all the time.

Hygiene

Get a professional deep clean by one of our skilled hygienists. We use Cavitron magnetostrictive scalers to remove debris from the surface of your enamel and in between your teeth. Maintaining effective hygiene habits at home is vital to keeping your smile healthy, and our professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup in hard to reach areas. Eliminating plaque bacteria from your teeth keeps your gums healthy and wards off periodontal disease. We’ll also evaluate your at-home routine and discuss options for effective cleaning between appointments.

Periodontal Therapy

Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. When unhealthy bacteria combines with saliva and other particles, a sticky, colorless substance called plaque forms on your enamel. If plaque isn’t removed effectively, it can harden and become tartar, which causes gum disease. If you have soft tissue damage, infection in your gums, swollen, bleeding, or receding gums, you may already have gum disease.

We use preventative measures to keep your gums healthy and can formulate a customized treatment plan to manage any signs of gum disease. For patients with moderate to severe periodontitis, we can prescribe Arestin, an antimicrobial that targets plaque bacteria. We also use soft tissue lasers to reduce the size of the gum pockets and allow for easier and more effective cleaning. Don’t lose your teeth to gum disease. Take action with our periodontal care!

Fluoride Treatments

Are your teeth sensitive to certain foods, drinks, or temperatures? The dentin layer of your enamel may be exposed, which can cause sensitivity. Fluoride treatments can restore essential minerals to your teeth, adding a barrier that can protect your enamel. Fluoride is extremely beneficial to children, as it provides the necessary support for developing teeth. It also helps ward off decay, which is why we offer fluoride treatments to kids at every visit. However, adults who are susceptible to decay can benefit from regular fluoride as well. Our dentists often recommend fluoride for all our patients and can even prescribe a special toothpaste if necessary. Ask us if fluoride is right for you.

Mouthguards

Your smile is beautiful. Protect it from damage with customized mouthguards and nightguards. Our mouthguards are crafted from high-quality Pro-form laminate and are custom-fit to meet your unique smile and are great for athletes. Our mouthguards help protect your children’s teeth during activity, ensuring their developing smile is safe.

If you suffer from nighttime grinding, known as bruxism, you may be causing excess wear to the enamel of your teeth. Our nightguards alleviate involuntary clenching and grinding during sleep, which lessens jaw and muscle soreness in the morning. Protect your pearly whites with our custom mouthguards and nightguards.

Emergency Care

Dental emergencies can really disrupt your routine. When a toothache strikes or trauma occurs, don’t worry! We understand that dental emergencies happen, and when they do, we’ll get you into our office as soon as possible. We strive to see you the same day, during normal hours, but if we can’t we’ll schedule you for the very next available time slot. Don’t suffer during a dental emergency. Call our compassionate team and get back to your life, quickly and comfortably.

Technology

Dentistry is always advancing. We believe in delivering the most state-of-the-art dental care possible, which means utilizing the latest technology. Our technology supports our general dentistry by helping us to recognize areas of concern, intervene early, and accurately diagnose conditions. We use an intraoral camera, which is a small, handheld scope that allows you to see inside your mouth the same as the dentist does. This helps you to make an informed choice about your care. Our soft tissue laser makes treating cold sores and lesions less invasive and is an alternative to a scalpel during frenectomies. Discover all the technology our office has to offer and keep your smile beautiful.